Linked by Anthony Hicks on Tue 8th Apr 2003 16:17 UTC
Linux This (quite long) article has been written by me for two primary reasons: One, to hopefully save someone else the time and hassle associated with trying out various Linux distributions, and two, to promote some discussion and feedback regarding what a modern Linux distribution should be, and of course to contrast this with what is currently available. I am exploring the offerings of MS Windows, BeOS and MacOSX, and then taking on a number of well-known Linux distributions.
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I'm sorry but WHAT
by Anonymous on Tue 8th Apr 2003 17:15 UTC

All of his agruments about the Disadvantages where all incorrect. Let's start in order.

Point #1 - Being slow.
True, a dual CPU machine would help immensely with this (XP is SMP-capable!), but we're looking specifically at the operating side here. Multiple CPU's will also help to speed up my Linux box when and if they're added (although Linux would of course require that I build an SMP-capable kernel).

Isn't this actually an agrument FOR Window's XP not AGAINST it!


Point #2 - 3rd party apps
Windows has came a long ways as far as what it allows the user to do, but to still get the most from a Windows system, you have to typically use a 3rd party program. This often requires additional $$, and it often adds another application to those already running in the system tray. This in turn results in more CPU cycles and memory going towards a feature which I for one feel should be included with the OS itself. Virtual Desktops under Windows is an excellent example of this, in that if you want Virtual Desktops, similar to Linux and BeOS, you must run a 3rd party application to provide this functionality.

AHH NO - Microsoft provides virtual desktop capability and it works GREAT, goto the link below to download it:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp

Anyone who even wants to claim they know anything about windows knows about all the Power Toys Microsoft provides!


Point #3 - Annoying Event Sounds
I do a fair amount of music composition and recording on my PC, and as such, I strongly feel that a PC should be seen and not heard. I don't need my PC going "beep" in the middle of a recording session just to let me know that an update's available (or for any other reason for that matter!). So I typically turn all the system sounds off on my PC and save that scheme as my default.

Do I really need to say more than just TURN THEM OFF if you don't like them!

Point #4 - Security
It's Windows... It's full of holes, and more are discovered every day. Enough said

And everyday they fix them. I can't count how many times I have read weekly post about how new security holes have been found in OpenSSH, Apache or other Open Source software. Microsoft is the largest software company in the world - of course everyone is going to look for a way to break their software ... it just so happens that people haven't people that same effort into breaking linux

Point #5
Can't optimize core system: By this I'm referring to the fact that Windows is a closed-source system. The users don't have the access necessary to do such things as optimize the kernel for a particular platform. This isn't a major problem, but when you consider all of the legacy applications that Windows supports, you naturally have to wonder how fast and responsive it could be if it was optimized and targeted at modern PC's. Rather than have a kernel that runs on everything, it would be nice to strip out the things that don't apply to my setup and optimize it for the hardware I do have. On the other hand, this is one of Linux's strong points

Your joking RIGHT! How many other OS's out there backword compatibility of up to 8 YEARS (windows 95). Major Linux vendors break compatibility every 4-6 MONTHS. Come on, get real.

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I'm sorry, but after the first page of his article - I had to stop reading. Now I'm not some Microsoft zealot but you must give credit where credit is do!